Poteau Advances In State Soccer Tourney

Poteau took its first step in defending the 4A State Championship with a comfortable 4-1 win against Riverfield in the first round of the this year’s tournament Tuesday night.

The Pirates are scheduled to play Verdigris on Friday night, though the game could possibly be moved to Thursday to avoid a potential conflict with the State Track and Field Tournament on Friday in Moore.

It was Poteau’s first game in about 20 days and, at times, it showed, coach Neto Silva said.

Poteau scored early when the ball careened off a Riverfield defender off a long, flipped throw-in from Poteau striker Ashby Clark. The Pirates’ second didn’t come until near the end of the first half when Brady Garcia’s individual effort down the wing found some space and he connected with Kendrick Hardaway in front of goal for a 2-0 lead.

“The fact that we haven’t played in two-and-a-half weeks was apparent,” Silva said. “We were a little bit slow to react. It felt so casual. I was pretty laid back also. But I felt the kids would get the feel in the game and step up when needed and they did. It was just kind of slow for a while.”

Riverfield didn’t threaten much until Poteau went up four goals. Silva played his reserves in the final 15 minutes after a free kick goal from Edwin Espinoza and and a final one from Clark.

The game was a little tighter than Silva had hoped, but wasn’t unexpected given the lay-off, he said. Poteau will need more against the Cardinals. Poteau had to rally to beat them in the playoffs last year.

“I will definitely be on the kids a little more, try to get them shook up a little bit and play harder to begin with,” Silva said. “I think sometimes we play to the opponent’s skill level and that’s bad on us. But it’s a win and I’ll take it.”